Rainbow PUSH holds vigil for gun violence victims

A call for action against gun violence was made at Rainbow PUSH in Chicago Monday evening.

The vigil, which came in the wake of a massacre Friday at a Connecticut elementary school, was made in the memory of the young people killed by gun violence in Chicago this year.

The chapel at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters was crowded with people who came to pray for the victims of the Newtown shooting and demand that their elected officials take action to prevent any further gun violence.

"Congress should revive the ban on assault weapons. Number 2, universal background checks. Number 3, stop conceal and carry," said Rev. Jesse Jackson of Rainbow PUSH.

Congressman Bobby Rush said he plans to jump into the gun control debate and reintroduce a bill that would require all guns to have identification numbers similar to vehicles.

He also says that the 20 children and 6 adults who were killed will be honored with a moment of silence in the chamber of the house floor.

"A moment of silence is appropriate," said Rush. "But also, a moment... or hours or days or weeks of debate is also appropriate."

Also appearing at the vigil was Willie Williams, whose son, Willie Williams III, was shot and killed six years ago at the Ford City Mall.

His son's killer was sentenced to 110-years in prison just today. Williams says if the Newtown shooting doesn't lead to gun regulations, he doesn't know what will.

"This is a disease, and we need everyone to come together to stop this," said Williams.

Jackson says so far this year, 485 people have been killed in Chicago and that 32,000 people are killed across the nation. He says taking a stand against gun violence is the right thing to do.